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CHRP Leading the Way for the Tap Community! Dance Companies Unite

Hedy S, Theater Critic / Chicago Sun Times

Clearly expanding upon the maxim that two can live more cheaply than one, five Chicago-rooted dance organizations — working under the auspices of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), the American tap dance and contemporary percussive arts now entering its 21st season — have decided to join forces to establish the Collaborative Space for Sustainable Development.

This shared, affordable and “eventually self-sufficient” education, rehearsal and administrative facility will help support the work of such small and midsize companies as: The prominent River North Dance Chicago company, Luna Negra Dance Theater (the Latin-based ensemble), Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, Kalapriya Center for the Performing Arts (which celebrates Indian and Asian dance and music traditions), and Ping Pong Productions (which facilitates collaborations between Chinese and international artists).

A location is still to be determined, but more than $500,000 has been raised so far from several major corporations and foundations, with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation providing the lead grant of $275,000 over four years. The project was the brainchild of Lane Alexander, founder and director of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and was realized in conjunction with Susan Oppenheimer, CHRP’s former board chairman.